The Ultimate Intex Pool: Intex 10ft Frame Pool Review

One of the big hits in our family of the summer just gone (and I’m sure will be for many summers to come) was our Intex 10ft Frame pool by Intex Recreation Corp. that we finally set up at the end of spring. You see, we’d actually bought this Intex 10ft pool the previous year, but due to all our building work that was being carried out, we never had a working garden to get it set up in before the kids went back to school that September- but we certainly made up for lost time last summer! 

I’d always fancied the idea of a swimming pool (don’t we all!), but size of garden and the cost of running this made it prohibitive, so a frame, 10ft pool (no bigger) that we could put up and then dismantle at the end of the summer season seemed to be the next best option. A few of our kids’ friends also had an Intex 10ft frame pool (or one of a similar ilk), so we knew from speaking to the families that they generally worked well in your average garden. With such hot summers in recent years, we thought it would be ideal to have an Intex pool with a sturdy metal-frame above-ground, and be able to dip in and out as we pleased (if you’re looking to potentially name your new pool, take a look at my ultimate swimming pool names guide!)

The need-to-know basics

• Water capacity: 1,185 gallons (4,485 litres) at 90% full
• Set-up size: 10ft diameter x 30in height
• Fill time with a garden hose: realistically 4 to 8 hours, depending on your water pressure (ours took the best part of an afternoon)
• Assembly time: 30 to 60 minutes with two people, no tools needed
• Suitable for: ages 6 and up
• Warranty: 1 year limited warranty on the pump, shorter on the liner

But is owning an Intex 10ft frame pool all it’s cracked up to be?

I thought I’d run through our experience and some of the pros and cons with one of the most up-to-date Intex pool reviews…

So, what is an Intex pool?

Designed to be sturdy and easy to assemble and maintain, Intex’s frame pools are above-ground pools, that are a cross between a fixed-in-place, above-ground swimming pool and a temporary swimming pool that you can put up and down to suit your lifestyle and space. The Intex pool is made of a 3-ply, durable, puncture resistant liner that is held up by a rust-resistant frame, and you can buy one with or without a cleaning filter pump (trust me, you will want this- more on this later-  although all Intex pools come standard with filtration and tubing so one could be added later).

Getting started

Whilst Intex frame pools are designed to be a flexible, fun new family member that you can take down and move around, realistically you’ll assemble it and maintain it in the same place for an extended period of time. It is NOT like a paddling pool where you can easily fill and refill each day if necessary – in my opinion once this bad boy is up, you’re in it for the summer long haul. With this in mind, you should consider where the pool is going to go in your garden. We are fortunate enough to have inherited artificial grass that is on level ground (really important), meaning that we had no danger of sacrificing actual grass in order to put the Intex pool down. A patio or decking area would be a good option, but as the bottom of the 10ft pool isn’t remotely padded, I would recommend purchasing some padded matting (like the kind you get to put down in garages, or for babies to crawl on) to put underneath the pool frame legs on your flat surface and for the drain plug to sit on. We bought some from Amazon after measuring up. Buying this will save your knees in the pool, and make playing and swimming in it a much more enjoyable experience! You can reduce the costs of your pool extras however, with Amazon voucher codes. Save on pool covers and accessories when you shop with online voucher codes.

How long does it take to fill a 10ft pool?

Honestly? Longer than you think. With a standard garden hose, you’re looking at somewhere between 4 and 8 hours to fill an Intex 10ft frame pool from empty, depending on your water pressure. Ours took most of an afternoon, and I remember pottering about doing other jobs while keeping half an eye on the hose.

The lesson I’d pass on: if you’ve got a pool party or a hot weekend planned, set up and start filling the day before. Don’t, like we very nearly did once, decide on a whim on a sunny Saturday morning that today’s the day, you’ll be sat there at 4pm with two inches of water and three disappointed children.

Also worth checking your garden is properly level before you start filling. Once there’s water in it, you cannot easily move it or adjust the ground underneath.

Pros of the Intex 10ft Frame pool

Fun- it is SO much fun! And just perfect for heatwaves and lounging around in, or just simply for a quick dip to cool off. We paid about £180 for our pool, although the price does seem to fluctuate, and it was definitely worth it as someone (we have 3 kids) was in the pool every single say.

A 10ft pool is a great size- not so big that it took up the whole garden, but big enough to properly play in and have floaties, and even our little one could properly swim widths in it. It was big enough for us adults too, and we could both happily float about on a lilo with plenty of room to spare.

The Intex pool is easy to assemble, durable steel frames and puncture-resistant 3-ply durable material used to make this one tend to last longer than inflatable pools, and it also didn’t need totally refilling (bar water top ups) for the entire summer HOWEVER (and I’ll get to my cons in a minute) that was only because it was cared for so well by my husband, who became slightly obsessed with pool cleans, filters, chlorine for improved water clarity… if you neglect it for a second like a few people we know did, then it will go green and unusable very quickly. This really is a summer hobby, people!

Cons of the Intex 10ft Frame pool

The only major con for an Intex Frame pool would be the heavy-duty care as I mentioned above, and also one of the other cons of having to care well for your pool is the additional expense of the extra bits. I’d hazard a guess that we spent a good few hundred pounds on the extras for the pool- the pool cover, steps (both of these a must-have in my opinion), floating chemical dispenser, a better pump and filter, pool hoover and net to clean the water surface, chemicals and PH balancer… all of which I’ve linked to here. Having said that, once you have most of these then you shouldn’t need to get them again, apart from new filters, and I’m envisaging this pool being a part of the family each summer for a long time!

Another tip I’ll give is that whilst the Intex 10ft frame pool comes with smaller pump for the it that should work well, we found it didn’t really cut it when it came to keeping the water clear and non-murky, so my husband ended up a buying a bit of a beast of a pump that did the job much better. We also had a few issues with the Intex pool cover, as we wanted some safety clips to go with it so if the cat jumped on the cover then he wouldn’t fall through, but these ended up melted and became misshaped in our, admittedly, extreme heat. Thankfully we managed to bend them back and make them work (and one happy cat, below!)

When using an Intex frame pool, you should get into good safety habits in order to keep your family safe – follow these tips for safe use: 

• Set up the 10ft pool on a level ground that is clear of trees, power lines and other dangers to reduce likelihood of injury;

• Ensure vigilant supervision of children and inexperienced swimmers to prevent injury severity;

• Teach all swimmers about basic water safety; 

• Use appropriate flotation devices for small children and non-swimmers; 

• Have rescue equipment such as a pool hook or life ring on hand within the pool area;

• Maintain proper water balance by testing pH levels within the pool water and adding chlorine or other sanitisers as needed to destroy harmful bacteria; 

• Make sure the ladder is secure and is being used by capable climbers; and 

• Either cover or drain the Intex pool whenever not in use to prevent accidental falls or unsupervised access.

Some key stats for an Intex 10ft Frame Pool as listed on the Intex website and in their instruction manuals:

• Innovative T-joint – simplified with no pins required
• Puncture resistant 3-ply durable material
• Faster and easier assembly with no tools required
• Dual suction outlet fittings – improve water circulation resulting in better water hygiene and clarity
• Includes a 110-120V Krystal Clear™ cartridge filter pump, pump flow rate: 330 Gph
• Approximate set-up size: 10ft X 30in
• Water capacity: 1,185 gallons (80%)
• Ready for water in approximately 30 minutes
• 1-year limited warranty*
• Age grade 6+

Overall, despite the maintenance involved, I’ve found this Intex frame pool pretty good value for money for a circular pool and very durable (we haven’t seen a more durable alternative yet). It’s survived a million kids hopping in and out of over several months, and looks in just as good condition as it did the day we set it up. I’m also impressed that despite being in the sun all day, there is zero fading, which helps keep that box-fresh look. 

I would definitely buy again, as it’s provided us with hours of outdoor fun, and we’re looking forward to getting it all set up again this coming spring!

This is a great video if you want to see how an Intex Frame pool is put up:

Frequently Asked Questions – some things I wish I knew about my pool!

1. How long does the Intex 10ft Frame Pool take to set up?

Most people find that setup takes around 30 to 60 minutes with two people (although Adam did it largely on his own and it took a similar amount of time). It’s designed to be quick and easy, just keeping referring to the included instruction manual.

2. Do I need any special tools to assemble the pool?

No special tools are required. The 10ft pool frame pieces fit together, so nothing needs to be screwed, and the liner fits snugly over the structure. Phew!

3. How much water does the Intex 10ft pool hold?

At 90% capacity, apparently the Intex 10ft Metal Frame Pool holds approximately 1,185 gallons (4,485 liters) of water. Which is a lot!

4. Can I use a saltwater system with this pool?

Yes, the pool is compatible with Intex’s saltwater systems, but you should always check the compatibility with your specific filter pump and read the manual for guidelines.

5. Does the pool come with a pump and filter?

Some versions include a filter pump, while others do not. Check the product listing or box carefully before purchasing. Tbh, we found we need to buy a more heavy-duty filter (see above) anyway, so definitely explore different filter options. We like a clean pool at all times, so were prepared to invest in a decent filter.

6. What kind of maintenance does this pool require?

Basic maintenance includes regular skimming, water testing (Adam’s favourite thing, like an obsession!), and running the pump daily. It’s also recommended to use a pool cover and consider chlorine or saltwater systems to keep water clean. You can read my top tips on How to Use an Intex Pool Vacuum here!

7. Can the pool be left up all year round?

In mild climates, it might be possible. However, in areas with freezing temperatures like the UK, it’s best to drain, clean, and store the pool to prolong its life. We keep ours safely in our shed.

8. Is this pool suitable for Children?

Absolutely! But children should always be supervised while using the pool, regardless of their swimming ability.

9. I’ve seen news about an Intex pool recall, does this affect the 10ft frame pool?

In July 2025, Bestway, Intex and Polygroup issued a recall in the US covering certain above-ground pools 48 inches and taller, due to a safety issue with external compression straps. It’s worth knowing this recall applies to taller pools sold in the US market, our 10ft frame pool is 30 inches in height, well outside the affected range, and we haven’t seen any equivalent notice for UK-sold Intex 10ft frame pools. As ever, it’s always worth registering your pool with Intex directly and keeping an eye on official safety notices, but there’s no need to panic about this particular one if you’ve got the 10ft frame pool.

 

See some more of my review posts here!